More teams, same fervor

TRACY - The rivalry between West and Tracy has changed a bit since the addition of another high school in the city.

Scott Linesburgh

TRACY - The rivalry between West and Tracy has changed a bit since the addition of another high school in the city.

But it's still intense and personal.

The Bulldogs and the Wolf Pack come into today's 7:15 p.m. game at West High's Steve Lopez Stadium with different records and goals. A win for Tracy would give it bragging rights as the mythical city champions, while West is looking for a win against its oldest rival.

"It's a huge game. We want this more than anything," West linebacker/tight end Scott Romo said. "We look forward to this all season."

On the other side of town, the Bulldogs share his sentiments, and they look forward to a Tracy sweep. They beat the city's other Tracy School District high school, Kimball, 37-28 last week. Kimball beat West 34-0 on Sept. 7.

"This is a championship game. If we win, we're the champions of Tracy," Bulldogs offensive and defensive lineman Nate Shelton said. "Tracy is the oldest high school, and I think it's important that we win this game and get to claim we are the best in city."

Tracy High was founded in 1917 and had the city all to itself until West opened 1993. West and Tracy have played varsity games for 17 years, with West winning 41-33 last season. Kimball opened in 2009, creating a three-way battle between the city's bigger schools.

Kimball's presence does create a different dynamic in the rivalries.

"When it was just the two of us, it was a little more heated and the feelings weren't spread over two games. But it's still very important to the kids," Tracy coach Matt Shrout said. "They want to win; they know the guys on the other teams. They want to be city champs. The coaches see beyond this week, but the kids see only this game. You just try to keep them calm and focused."

West coach Matt Loggins said the main concern for the Wolf Pack (0-4) is getting its first win and building from there.

"Obviously, you have the added incentive of playing crosstown rivals, and we are looking for confidence," Loggins said. "We're a very young team and inexperienced. And while we respect the game and know Tracy will give their best effort, we know one game won't settle all the issues. It's going to take a lot of hard work, and hopefully we get good results this week."

For West to have a shot against Tracy (2-2), it will have to find a way to stop Bulldogs running back Bruce Russell, who has five touchdowns in his first four games. He is averaging 125 yards rushing per game, and had 213 and three touchdowns on 18 carries against Kimball.